Pakistan: Gurdwaras could be Taliban's next target after church attack

Islamabad, Sept 25: After carrying out one of the worst attack on minority Christians at a church in Peshawar last week, the Taliban may target the Sikh community and their places of worship, Gurdwaras, the Pakistan government said on Wednesday.

According to reports, in the view of the likely threat, the Interior Ministry has issued instructions to the provincial home departments to beef up security at all gurdwaras under their respective jurisdiction.

According to The Nation report, the Punjab government has directed Commissioner Lahore division to make plans for the protection of the sacred places of Sikh community especially the Gurdwara Gurunanak Singh at Nankana Sahib.

The Interior Ministry has also asked the provincial governments to seek cooperation of religious scholars and the NGOs to safeguard the places of worship.

Interior Minister Ch Nisar Ali Khan will soon meet the representative delegations from all religions to seek their cooperation on the issue.

The warning from the government came after the deadly attacks on a Peshawar church, which killed hundreds.

On Sunday, at least 81 people including children were killed in one of the deadliest attack on the Christian community in Pakistan.